EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — National and international events happening next summer in Philadelphia and around the state present a golden opportunity for tourism in South Jersey — if governments and businesses can find ways to get people from there to here.
That was a takeaway from a state legislative hearing Monday on shore and agricultural tourism in South Jersey.
Philadelphia will host six matches of the FIFA World Cup next summer between June 14 and July 4.
Also in Philadelphia in July will be Major League Baseball’s All-Star-Game, and a vast array of events throughout the state to mark the nation’s 250th birthday.
“With the World Cup, people are coming for the full experience, not just one individual match in Philadelphia,” said Hilary Chebra, director of government affairs at the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey.
“We want to make sure they experience our beautiful beaches, our wineries and farms,” she said. “We have to make sure that people can get from point A to point B. A lot of those visitors are going to be challenged if they don’t have a car to rent. Public transportation in South Jersey will need some extra attention.”
What form that might take remains to be seen, but individual businesses and trade groups are already thinking of renting buses, shuttle vans or arranging rideshare trips connecting their attractions with tourists in Philadelphia or other areas. The Meadowlands in North Jersey is scheduled to host eight World Cup matches including the final on July 19.
“Transportation has always been an issue in South Jersey,” said Michael Snyder, director of operations for Visit South Jersey.
A proposed outdoor gym and bar next to the Showboat Resort Atlantic City will not be happening, according to developer Bart Blatstein’s company.
He said the 30-plus wineries in the region could benefit greatly from visitation by people attending other events.
“We’re in a perfect position to introduce South Jersey to the world,” he said. “We’re looking at options to transport people to the wineries or the downtowns of towns that are close to wineries so that they have easy access from Philadelphia or the PATCO stations.”
Whether people would be asked to buy tickets to ride buses or shuttles, or whether businesses or governments would pick up the cost, or some combination of that, remains to be decided, he said.
State Sen. Vince Polistina, an Atlantic County Republican, said multiple resources will need to be marshaled to help the region enable tourists to visit after their game or other event is over.
That would include rideshare operations, charter buses and vans, he said.
“We need to be able to route people around the state,” he said. “We need to work with our private partners, with all the Ubers of the world, to try to make sure they are ready to go. Longer-term, we need more public transportation, particularly between Philadelphia and Atlantic City International Airport and Atlantic City.”
NJ Transit runs a rail line between Atlantic City and Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station, as well as bus service.
The agency said it would issue a statement later in the day Monday regarding South Jersey tourism events.
Could New York casinos actually help Atlantic City somewhat by marketing their Jersey Shore properties to New York customers? Or at least lessen some of the anticipated damage?
The South Jersey Transportation Authority did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Monday.
State Sen. James Beach, a Camden County Democrat, said local businesses need to seize the moment next summer.
“They can’t miss the boat to get buses to Philadelphia and bring people to their wineries,” he said. “We’ve got some great wineries and breweries and distilleries around the state.”
Contact Wayne Parry:
609-272-7000
wparry@pressofac.com
X @WayneParryAC
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